The grieving family of Kirandeep Kaur say the support shown by strangers following the 24-year-old’s death has brought them comfort during an unimaginable time
The brother of a woman stabbed to death as she lay beside her husband and baby has spoken of his family’s heartbreak.
Her family, who are thousands of miles away in India, say the vigils held in west London have brought them comfort as they continue to wait for Kirandeep Kaur’s body to be returned home. The 24-year-old woman was killed at her home on Uxbridge Road in Hayes in the early hours of July 12.
Speaking through a translator from the family’s home in Punjab, her eldest brother Paljinder Singh said seeing people come together in Kirandeep’s memory had helped them through their grief. He said: “If we’d known what was going to happen, we would never have let her go.”
The family are now hoping Kirandeep’s body can be returned to India so they can say one final goodbye. He said: “I will never speak to her on the phone again, but I want to see her one last time.”
The 24-year-old had moved to Britain two years ago to study at Buckinghamshire New University before later finding work at a grocery store after plans to settle in Canada fell through. Her family, who live in Tarn Taran in Punjab, had never imagined London would become her home.
Speaking through a translator, he said: “We never thought when she left, just two years ago… we never thought she would never come back.” He added: “She was a lovely person. If you asked anyone in the village, they would say that.
“She would never say anything bad about anybody. She never said no to helping anyone. When she was near, everything was lovely. After what has happened, things will never be normal again. All my life, I will never forget her.”
Her death sparked a series of marches and vigils across west London, where members of the community gathered to remember the graduate and stand alongside her loved ones.
Although thousands of miles away, Singh said the support had brought the family comfort. He said: “We were very grateful to hear about the vigils. Everyone got together to raise the case. Hopefully, this will not happen to another family.”
Daniel Sean James, from west London has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. Prosecutors allege he attacked Kirandeep inside her home before jumping from a window and breaking both ankles. He was later detained by police nearby.
James appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Wormwood Scrubs on Thursday where Judge Nigel Lickley KC remanded him in custody. He is due to enter pleas on October 1.
